The Pentagon is preparing for a longer bombardment of Syria than it originally had planned, with a heavy barrage of missile strikes followed soon after by more attacks on targets that the opening salvos missed or failed to destroy, officials said. The planning for intense attacks over a three-day period reflects the growing belief in the White House and the Pentagon that the United States needs more firepower to inflict even minimal damage on Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces, which have been widely dispersed over the last two weeks, the officials said.

The Air Force's fleet of B-52s, the nation's oldest active-duty aircraft, was certified Wednesday as the first that can use one of the Air Force's newest innovations: a cleaner-burning, domestically produced synthetic fuel blend. The certification is the culmination of a year-long test program conducted at Edwards, which was visited Wednesday by Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne to thank and congratulate the engineers, pilots and others who worked on the project. "This is a great day for the United States Air Force," Wynne said, "And another milestone for the Flight Test Center." Wynne called the B-52 fleet's certification "the tip...

A U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker refuels a B-52 Stratofortress on a mission in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, March 13, 2006. The B-52 provides close air support for ground troops in Afganistan. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Nicodemus Aircrews Refuel B-52s in Flight for the Fight In six short weeks, KC-135s here have delivered more than 11 million pounds of fuel to B-52s that have flown forward into Afghan airspace providing close air support for U.S. and coalition forces on the ground. By U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Scott King OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, March 17,...

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42, NIV). "But I say...

<p>ON Saturday, Iranian agents ambushed an American convoy on the road between Mosul and Akre in Iraq. The attack did not go as planned: Our troops responded sharply, killing two Iranians, wounding a third and capturing two more.</p>
<p>They were carrying their identity documents.</p>

Baghdad hit; Powell warns Syria Coalition aircraft once again bombed Baghdad in an operation that Central Command called "historic," fighting in An Najaf and An Samana killed some 100 Iraqi troops, and the United States once again warned Syria to cease supporting Saddam Hussein or face the "consequences." The overnight bombing of Baghdad targeted the Ministry of Information with a Tomahawk Land Attack Munition, CENTCOM said. It said the hit would reduce Saddam's "command and control capabilities." "The strike enhances the security of coalition forces conducting operations across Iraq," it said. In a news release headlined "Historic Bomber Package Strikes...

IT SEEMED a strange moment for a killing. Around us, the undulating desert was enjoying its brief spring window of colour as scarlet poppies blazed across the banks of shallow streams. “Kinda like California,” one of the special forces soldiers noted. In heat-rippling air, hawks banked in search of quarry. They were not alone in the skies for long. The US special forces team had arrived that morning, pushing forward to the new front line about 13 miles southeast of Kirkuk. Iraqi forces had abandoned their positions as far as this point two days earlier as part of a planned...

With its combination of long range, high speed and large weapons payload, the B-1 bomber is proving to be a valuable asset during the air campaign over Iraq, according to members of the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing who fly the aircraft. The B-1 has demonstrated its flexibility by flying a number of missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, members of the 405th AEW said during a Pentagon teleconference with reporters this week."We are hitting a wide range of targets," wing commander Col. James Kowalski said March 25 from an undisclosed location in the Central Command area of responsibility. "[We're hitting] suppression...

New Air Force Missile Passes Final Test .c The Associated Press EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AP) - A new, low-cost cruise missile flew through a window and destroyed a two-story test house in its final test flight this week, clearing the way for possible use in Iraq, an Air Force official said Friday. The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, or JASSM, next is scheduled for operational tests before going to combat units in September, but it could get to them much sooner, said Gerry Freisthler, lethal strike program director for the Air Armament Center here. The missiles are manufactured in...

...U.S. military officials said the convoy leaving Baghdad consisted of 1,000 vehicles that were believed to contain fighters hoping to reinforce Iraqi forces engaging U.S. troops near Najaf. The movement was detected about 4 p.m. (8 a.m. EST). "Something big and metal is moving," one radio operator reported. About two hours later, U.S. jets began bombing the front of the convoy after receiving confirmation that the column carried militiamen. Eventually, B-52s flew over, dropping 500-pound bombs every 500 meters along the length of the convoy. The casualty total was not immediately known, but the attack appeared to add significantly to...

Armed B-52 bomber takes off from UK airfield -TV LONDON, March 26 (Reuters) - An armed American B-52 bomber took off from an airbase in southwest England on Wednesday. Sky News television showed the bomber, which can carry a massive payload of bombs and up to 20 cruise missiles, lifting off from the Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire shortly before 2:00 p.m. (1400 GMT). There are 14 B-52s based at Fairford. The planes, which take about six hours to reach the Gulf, have already taken part in several air attacks on Iraq.

Iraqi Armored Force Falls to U.S. Advance By CHRIS TOMLINSON .c The Associated Press NEAR NAJAF, Iraq (AP) - The alert crackled over the radio at midmorning Sunday: An armored column of more than 30 Iraqi vehicles was coming, and a company of the 3rd Infantry Division was ordered forward to dig in behind irrigation levees. Peering into the distance, the soldiers could barely make out the Iraqi vehicles. They seemed little more than blips on the horizon. Then the U.S. Air Force arrived. Slow-flying A-10 Thunderbolt attack planes swooped down and began picking off the Iraqi vehicles one by...

Tehran, March 23, IRNA -- Mosul was bombarded Saturday night by American planes entering the northern Iraq's air space from Turkey. According to the Sunday issue of the Turkish daily Hurriyet, the American planes entered Turkish air space via Trabzon flying over the Black Sea before entering northern Turkey. "The planes then flew towards southern Turkey and entered Iraqi air space," added the report. The daily noted that Turkey opened its air space to American warplanes as of Saturday night, 11:00 p.m. Turkish time. Hurriyet said: "The American warplanes overflew Turkey's air space at 11:00 pm last night and in...

Armed B-52 bombers take off from UK airbase LONDON, March 23 (Reuters) - Armed American B-52 bombers took off from an airbase in south western England on Sunday. A Reuters eyewitness saw the giant bombers which can carry a massive payload of bombs and cruise missiles lifting off from the Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire at 1123 GMT. B-52s have taken part in the past two nights of air attacks on Iraq.

by Tech. Sgt. Jason Tudor 457th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs 03/22/03 - OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (AFPN) -- Bomber aircraft from this deployed location participated in their first strike operations March 21 and continue to pound targets in the U.S. Central Command theater of operations in a coalition effort to disarm the Iraqi regime. All of the bombers deployed for the mission returned without incident. B-52 Stratofortresses struck targets across Iraq. KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders from across the U.S. European and Central Command theaters of operations provided the needed fuel to the bombers. As aircrews taxied from this location...

BAGHDAD WAITS IN FEAR Baghdad is bracing for another night of heavy missile attacks following the first daytime assault on the Iraqi capital of the Allied campaign. The aerial assault resumed as evening fell, with large explosions shaking the city's outskirts after jets were heard overhead. Officials have confirmed that B-52 bombers will be in action over Baghdad tonight. Speaking from Baghdad about the most recent strikes, Sky correspondent David Chater said: "Two very, very large explosions and a flash of light in the sky that seemed to come from nowhere." Iraqi forces had lit oil-filled trenches around the city...

B-52s leave UK March 22, 2003 07:57 B-52 bombers have begun taking off from RAF Fairford. Earlier today, a Greenpeace hot air balloon today dropped 500 anti-war leaflets over the base where 14 B-52 bombers were on stand-by. Greenpeace said they contacted the base, police and the Civil Aviation Authority in advance to ensure there was no risk. The leaflets highlighted the risk to the Iraqi civilians and US arms sales to Iraq.

The giant US Air Force B-52 bombers returned safely to their base at RAF Fairford today after taking part in the massive air assault on Baghdad. The bombers had left Fairford in Gloucestershire at around 10am yesterday before the massive assault on the Iraqi capital got under way. The fleet of aircraft dropped their cruise missiles, which have a 1,000-mile range, well away from Iraqi airspace. Yesterday was the first time that so many of the planes had left the base in one sortie. They have a range of 8,000 miles and are able to hit Iraqi targets within around...

WASHINGTON - Heavy B-52 bombers left England Friday, portending major nighttime air strikes against Iraq (news - web sites), two U.S. officials said, as American forces seized important ground in south and western Iraq. AP Photo (AP Video) Latest news: · U.S. Forces Seize Important Iraqi Ground AP - 5 minutes ago · U.S. Confirms Saddam Hussein in Video AP - 9 minutes ago · Troops Find Some Resistance in S. Iraq AP - 46 minutes ago Special Coverage One U.S. official involved in military planning said the B-52s had been scrambled en masse and the air strikes would...

U.K. B-52 Bombers Head for Likely Strikes By PAULINE JELINEK .c The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Heavy B-52 bombers left England Friday, portending major nighttime air strikes against Iraq, two U.S. officials said, as American forces seized important ground in south and western Iraq. One U.S. official involved in military planning said the B-52s had been scrambled en masse and the air strikes would be bigger than anything seen thus far in the conflict. In the early hours of the war, the U.S. launched two rounds of cruise missile attacks against Baghdad, but sent only two Stealth bombers over...

A wave of B-52 bombers are set to hit Iraq within the hour, according to reports. Eleven of the giant warplanes took off from RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire shortly earlier. The plane has been in service with the United States Air Force since 1955. It established its fearful reputation with carpet bombing raids during the Vietnam War. More recently, it has seen service in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Yugoslavia.

B52S TO HIT WITHIN HOUR A wave of B-52 bombers is set to hit Iraq within the hour, according to reports. Eleven of the giant warplanes took off from RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, this morning. The plane has been in service with the United States Air Force since 1955. It established its fearful reputation with carpet bombing raids during the Vietnam War. More recently, it has seen service in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Yugoslavia.

The arrival of nine B-52 Super Fortress bombers at RAF Fairford overnight gives a clear indication of the timing of the long-forecast US strike on Saddam's Iraq and the kind of operation that President Bush has in mind. The B-52s are veterans of the Cold War. They carry huge payloads of conventional and satellite-guided bombs, JDAMs, and air-launched cruise missiles. The stationing of the planes at Fairford signalled the overture to the air campaign over Iraq in January 1991 and Nato bombing of Kosovo and Serbia in 1999. In the Gulf War in 1991, the tons of iron bombs dropped...

Rough Draft Of Bush Peace Plan Leaked! This was found on a floppy disk somewhere in the U.S. It's accuracy can not be confirmed. Hey Karl, How are you? Fine I hope. Please read this here peace plan for Israel and pass a copy over to Dick Cheeny and Colon Powell. Go ahead and correct all my spelling errors because you know I can't spell worth a hoot. The grammar might need a little work, too, but heck, what are Cheefs of Staff for, anyway? George W. Ladies and Gentlemen of the U.S.A. Hello tonight the 20th of June, 2002....